New kitten arriving tomorrow - nervous but excited

[peggyblackett]

What do I need to know? I've had youngish (6mo) rescue cats in the past, but 'Beryl' is only 10 weeks old.

Is there anything I need to know? I'm having her vet checked, jabbed and chipped on Monday. She is insured. Scratch post is on order.

I'm so worried she won't settle, or that my big but benign dogs will freak her out. Is it normal to worry with a kitten? I'm used to puppies - I know what I'm doing with them!

[Fluffycloudland77]

You just need the basics really, we all run out and buy toys and they just want a cardboard box on it's side and a blanket to sleep in and bits of scrunched up paper to play with/string/ping pong balls.

You need a tray, possibly kitten litter so it's no too rough on her pads and kitten food. Dont worry too much about biscuits at the moment, sometimes their teeth are not strong enough to bite them anyway.

The dog needs to be calm when they meet, the kitten will be wary but should warm up if the dogs friendly. Get the dog to sit and stay and let the kitten sniff him, dont try and force the introductions.

[SparklingGoldMedals]

[peggyblackett]

Thanks fluffy. Any tips for intros to the dcs? Dd1 will be indifferent, but ds (2.4) and dd2 (6mo) are more likely to want to be hands on. Eek! I guess mandating a 'don't pick up Beryl' rule is important from the start.

I feel such a responsibility - she is the smallest of the litter from a friend's very small cat so she's very dainty. She is such a purr monster already though :)

[Fluffycloudland77]

Same as the dog really, get them on the "stay" command.

You have to constantly supervise the toddler and baby with her though, for her safety more than theirs. Your babys first word could well be "gently".

[cozietoesie]

I'd also designate a temporary 'safe area' where she learns she can dash to for time out if things all get too much for her and while she's gaining confidence. A cupboard with a blanket inside it and the door left open, or a small room if you have one (leave the litter tray and some food and water there if you have, door always open again), even leaving her behind the sofa and telling the DCs not to go there while she's there. It won't last long.

I have to say, fluffy - I admire this 'blanket to sleep in' notion. I've always had Siamese and there was never a one of them that would sleep anywhere but bed with me!

[Fluffycloudland77]

Fluff cat will sleep anywhere you put his bed.

[peggyblackett]

So far so good. She is lovely, super super friendly. No litter tray usage so far...no obvious accidents either. I keep plonking her on the litter tray so that she knows where it is.

I've made the cloakroom into her safe space. We are all stairgated up anyway so she will have respite from dcs and hounds.

She is a complete purr monster!

[peggyblackett]

Meant to say, am I doing right thing about the tray?

[cozietoesie]

Ah great - she's arrived!

'First use of litter tray' is always a big moment - kitten or grown cat in new place. You just have to gnaw your fingers while keeping them crossed. Cats are really clean so she'll use it eventually. (I usually beg a very little bag of (clean) litter from the previous house's tray to scatter on the new tray: it will still have some smell about it - but no matter.) I'd stop plonking her down now: she'll remember it.

She could very well not have drunk much in recent hours - and cats tend to cross their legs and hold it in if in a place where they're not too sure of things. Until they can't hold it in any longer. Just wait.

[cozietoesie]

PS - Make sure her tray is in a quiet place or a bit out of the mainstream. They don't like to be watched while they're toileting.

[LikeItOrNot]

[cozietoesie]

Me too!

[peggyblackett]

She used the litter tray, no accidents so far thankfully.

She curled up on DH's shoulder last night to watch t'Olympics and kept licking his arm. DH is an 'unsure' cat owner, but if she keeps this up she will be his and not mine!

She is so different from the rescue cats I've had who were so unaffectionate - sadly they can't have been socialised as kittens and I can see the difference. Poor fur boys :(

Thanks for all of the advice :)

[SparklingGoldMedals]

Awww it all sounds lovely peggy. Having an affectionate cat sometimes stops you getting stuff done. Sparkling Cat has to have a huge cuddle and fuss in the morning and won't leave me alone.

[cozietoesie]

Great stuff. Now she's used it once she should be fine (barring getting accidentally shut in somewhere etc which wouldn't be her fault - or illness.)

Clearly a cat who has all her wits about her. 'Ignore those who already believe and go convert the unsure'. Bright. You'll likely find OH sneaking bits of chicken breast out of the kitchen soon for 'unspecified purposes'.

She should be absolutely fine with the dogs. Terriers and cats can sometimes have a stand-off for a bit (mutual respect) but big galumphers will cede authority to a cat pretty well every time. Even one who can fit in your hand.

Enjoy.